Kaufman new coo at Avanti Linens

Veteran retailer Jeff Kaufman has joined embellished towel manufacturer Avanti Linens as president and coo. He will work in tandem with Michael Tauber, president of sales, marketing and design, and will focus on operations.

Kaufman and Tauber report to company founder and chairman Arthur Tauber, who is Michael Tauber's father.

"The last two years have been very good for us, but we're feeling the growing pains," Michael Tauber said in an interview. "We've worked with Jeff at two of our major customers, and we like his style of doing business. He'll also free up some time for Arthur to do more of the things he wants to do — both business and personal."

"I'm not planning to retire or anything like that," said Arthur Tauber. "But I have to think of the future. And it's good to bring in new blood."

Said Kaufman, "My goal is to get Arthur down to working only 75 hours a week. Then I'll consider it a success."

Kaufman most recently was senior vp, gmm at consumer electronics retailer The Wiz, which has gone out of business. Prior to that, he was senior vp, supply chain management at Linens 'n Things. Kaufman spent six years at the home specialty retail company, five of them as vp, gmm of home textiles. Prior to joining LNT, Kaufman spent 13 years at Macy's in a variety of positions, ending his tenure there as vp, dmm of home textiles.

At Avanti, Kaufman will focus on improving efficiencies and operations. "There's a lot we can do here — whether it involves our blanks or finished product," Kaufman said.